This is a pretty cool race. 99% flat. There are a couple of small hills but it seemed like a lot more downhills than up which is nice. The race … MORE
This is a pretty cool race. 99% flat. There are a couple of small hills but it seemed like a lot more downhills than up which is nice. The race starts early, at 7, with the sun not quite up yet. The real feel was 38 degrees at start, so don’t let Texas fool you.
Only real wrinkle for me was the starting arch was somewhat narrow so it slows everyone moving forward to start.
The first eight or so miles are through neighborhoods. There are plenty of water stations. Being so early and cold, there were not a lot of spectators though, which is okay. I read a lot of reviews complaining about the course markings. I don’t remember any course markings and there were a couple of missing mile markers but the field was so thick, all you have to do is follow the crowd. (Those in the back where it gets spread out may have had more issues).
Running through the Texas A&M campus was nice but relatively short. I would have preferred a little more distance on the campus. But you get a closeup of the football stadium and then you’re headed to the finish line just a couple of miles away.
The medal was normal- not bad but not awesome. The finisher jackets are awesome though.
I’m not big into post race parties but they some food and plenty of drinks. One cool note- your bib has your birthday on it so if you want your beer at the end you don’t have to worry about having ID on you. And they had a number of local beers on tap for those who wanted one.
Overall- a midlevel race. I would run again if I was in College Station. I have definitely ran a lot worse races but also have run better.
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Decent Race in College Station
This is a pretty cool race. 99% flat. There are a couple of small hills but it seemed like a lot more downhills than up which is nice. The race … MORE
This is a pretty cool race. 99% flat. There are a couple of small hills but it seemed like a lot more downhills than up which is nice. The race starts early, at 7, with the sun not quite up yet. The real feel was 38 degrees at start, so don’t let Texas fool you.
Only real wrinkle for me was the starting arch was somewhat narrow so it slows everyone moving forward to start.
The first eight or so miles are through neighborhoods. There are plenty of water stations. Being so early and cold, there were not a lot of spectators though, which is okay. I read a lot of reviews complaining about the course markings. I don’t remember any course markings and there were a couple of missing mile markers but the field was so thick, all you have to do is follow the crowd. (Those in the back where it gets spread out may have had more issues).
Running through the Texas A&M campus was nice but relatively short. I would have preferred a little more distance on the campus. But you get a closeup of the football stadium and then you’re headed to the finish line just a couple of miles away.
The medal was normal- not bad but not awesome. The finisher jackets are awesome though.
I’m not big into post race parties but they some food and plenty of drinks. One cool note- your bib has your birthday on it so if you want your beer at the end you don’t have to worry about having ID on you. And they had a number of local beers on tap for those who wanted one.
Overall- a midlevel race. I would run again if I was in College Station. I have definitely ran a lot worse races but also have run better.
A view from the back of the pack
This is a 1st class, small town run. Plenty of adjacent parking. Start and end in same general location, although this is not an "out and back" event. Excellent packet … MORE
This is a 1st class, small town run. Plenty of adjacent parking. Start and end in same general location, although this is not an “out and back” event. Excellent packet pick up option day before. SWAG is always 1st class. Route through BCS is always filled with cheering neighbors. Water and gatorade nearly every 2 miles. Run through campus is picturesque. Post race meal options are awesome.
Had high hopes
I decided to run this marathon because I went to Texas A&M and my daughter attends their veterinary school. They did several things very well, but because of the things … MORE
I decided to run this marathon because I went to Texas A&M and my daughter attends their veterinary school. They did several things very well, but because of the things they did not do well, I will probably not do this race again.
Pros:
1. Support on the course – The support on the course was amazing. They had student groups and volunteers out about every mile with both fluid and aid stations and of course, porta potties.
2. The swag was great. Some people complained because they wanted a jacket, but I really liked the quality and look of the zip up pullover.
3. The pacers were awesome and very motivating. I wish I had been able to keep up with them, but I knew that I didn’t have a chance after a few miles.
4. Communication leading up to the race was amazing. They had weekly emails with training tips and several emails the week before the race to make sure you knew everything you needed to know.
Cons:
1. At mile 17.5 the cones disappeared at an intersection and we did not know where to go. There were lots of cones and volunteers all over the course except at this one place. I came upon a group of about 20 runners standing around trying to figure out where to go using their phone size map. We were stopped here for more than 10 minutes. Finally someone was able to get in touch with a friend that was able to get it figured out for us. They really needed signs at the turn just in case there is not a volunteer to tell runners where to go. The total stop really affected us the rest of the race.
2. Once we got going and got to the finish line, the party had been shut down even though we had finished below the time limit. And we started about the middle of the pack. It was advertised a rolling time limit, so the party should have been going on for awhile. It would have been nice to have had a beer or some food after we finished our marathon, but everything was packed up. And, I know I am not a fast runner, but they made me feel slow and that is a terrible feeling when I trained hard and finished before the time limit.
3. I contacted the race director to tell him the amazing things they did and give a few suggestions. I never heard back. I was very positive and I believe in giving true feedback so that the race can improve, especially since the cause is a great cause. This is one of the big reasons that I may not do this race again. I found out later that another friend had the same problem with the party shutting down before the time limit.
1st class event
Mid size race which is well support with great swag. Parking is plentiful with the start and finish in the same general area without the route being an out and … MORE
Mid size race which is well support with great swag. Parking is plentiful with the start and finish in the same general area without the route being an out and back. Great to run through Texas A&M. Well supported by the community.
my overall race expeirence
Got to walk past Kyle stadium, home of the aggie football team and home of the 12th man, which was out of this world amazing, which made me feel like … MORE
Got to walk past Kyle stadium, home of the aggie football team and home of the 12th man, which was out of this world amazing, which made me feel like i was apart of the 12th man. Super cool medal and great community and on course support
Great Race - Needs better Markings
Overall, the race experience was great. They communicated so well about everything - expo, race day info, etc. The finishers medal and finishers jacket waste awesome! The only thing I … MORE
Overall, the race experience was great. They communicated so well about everything – expo, race day info, etc. The finishers medal and finishers jacket waste awesome! The only thing I would say could be improved is how the course is marked. There half marathon/marathon split wasn’t marked well. If it weren’t for volunteers, we would have missed it. I know of at least one person who ended up running the half because of the poor signage/markings. There were a few other areas that could have been marked a little better as well.
It was well-organized
Exceeds every expectation! Keep in mind, this was my first half marathon. You can tell the organizers really care. The fiest at the end was terrific, and we received finisher … MORE
Exceeds every expectation! Keep in mind, this was my first half marathon. You can tell the organizers really care. The fiest at the end was terrific, and we received finisher jackets.
Best Race Ever.
I've only done 4 full marathons but several more half marathons and by far the BCS is my favorite. This is my 2nd year to run the full. The course … MORE
I’ve only done 4 full marathons but several more half marathons and by far the BCS is my favorite. This is my 2nd year to run the full. The course is well laid out with some neighborhoods, rolling hills (mostly in the first half), and then a tour of the A&M campus. There are water stations at EVERY mile and aid stations are almost as frequent and fully stocked. The cheer stations are legit and it’s just a great atmosphere, start to finish. The opportunity to partner with such a great cause, Mercy Project, is the icing on the cake. When you round the last corner and see faces of children who have known agony far beyond what we are experiencing in running 26 miles, it’s a memorable moment.
Great race, just don't finish late!
The BCS marathon really is an awesome marathon, especially considering how much smaller College Station is than other major Texas cities. The expo is awesome, you get two shirts, HUGE … MORE
The BCS marathon really is an awesome marathon, especially considering how much smaller College Station is than other major Texas cities. The expo is awesome, you get two shirts, HUGE medals, and a special prize each year (foam rollers, socks, medal hangers, etc)
The course is pretty flat with a few inclines and winds in and around College Station. The aid stations are super awesome with lots of amazing goodies to eat and drink to keep you going. There’s great crowd support, too. The ONLY problem I had was, being injured at the time and therefore slow, by the time I finished, half of the finish line vendors were gone and there wasn’t any food left and the only drinks were watered down margaritas. That was kind of a buzz-kill! I think race production made note of it though, so hopefully that didn’t happen again. They really care for their runners and their race’s reputation!